GNS legacy lives on 4 years after his death. His political teachings and mentorship continue to inspire people around Plateau and beyond. Followers and admirers  last week celebrated him and unveiled a foundation to sustain his legacies. Our Correspondent in Jos, DANIEL DAUDA, witnessed the event.

Iconic teacher and politician Sen. Gyang Nyam Shom Pwajok, popularly known as GNS passed away after a protracted illness shortly after he was narrowly defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate,  Simon Bako Lalong, in 2015, leaving a void no one can fill. The legend passed away after suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer, at a hospital in India on October 28, 2015, at the age of 48.
The vibrant,  charismatic Plateau state born politician was not only a role model to the youths of his state but also inspired young people across the state and does so even today. He is a legend that is revered by thousands, followed by hundreds of thousands and missed by all. GNS lives on with his family and all the lives he touched in and out of politics. To many he was a hero, youth activist, mentor, Icon, philanthropist, peace Ambassador and a politician per excellence whose legacies will continue to be remembered.
Pwajok’s  teachings and ideas are convincing, consistent, and coherent. He had the courage to go against the trend of the times, which was the idea of zoning against competence. It was based on this believe that he was bold to  contests the 2015 gubernatorial elections under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against all odds, although he narrowly  lost out with the margin of about 3000 votes due to some shady political intrigues, he made the greatest experiment and  discovery – that conviction and dialogue were key principles that anybody could use in almost any situation.
GNS philosophy is based on principle of togetherness: He believed that the society can be greater if people of different faith and ethnic background work in unity putting God at the center of everything. His greatest concerned was about liberating the Youth to get involve in Nigeria democratic process.
Late GNS Pwajok, was a Lecturer with Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi, former Lecturer with the prestigious University of Jos, former Director General Research, Strategy and Documentation Plateau State Government House, Former Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Sen. Jonah David Jang, CON, former distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Plateau State PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2015 General Elections.
He was also active in student unionism and activism during his youthful age.
He was instrumental to the success story of the Redemption Agenda and achievements of His Excellency Da Sen. Jonah Jang when he superintended the State as Governor for 8 years.
He was the brain behind the vision of “Greater Together” a slogan he used for his gubernatorial campaign and was one of the vocal Senator in the 7th National Assembly.
In sustaining  his legacies his family, relatives, friends, political associates, fans, youths, women and elders cutting across religious, ethnic and political lines on Monday 28th October, gathered at Tamarald event center in Jos, for a memorial lecture and youth discussion cycle and unveiling of a foundation in his honour.
The occasion which  had the theme “The Youth Bulge: Challenges and Prospects for Youth Political Participation & Leadership in Plateau State” was chaired by Member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency Plateau State, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos.
Bagos,  while  eulogizing the Late GNS Pwajok he described him as a promoter of peaceful coexistence, unity and sound democratic ideals.
He said the deceased lived a life of selfless service to God and humanity. Noting that the good works carried out by him are still speaking for him.
In his words, Rep. Bagos said “We cannot discuss and focus on the next generation without reflecting on legacies and strides of heroes that shaped the generation preceding their generation.” Noting that “his memory lives on and serves as an inspiration and also as a challenge to me in sustaining  his legacies.”
Bagos who described GNS as his mentor, said like GNS,  he is committed towards nurturing the next generation by sustaining his legacies through the foundation.
“Like you heard from the family, the foundation is going to be a foundation that would continue the legacies  of late GNS Pwajok. What he believes in, building the Youth, coming together of Plateau Youth and Nigeria as a whole where we have leadership and innovative training of young leaders to build leaders for the state and Nigeria as a whole.”
” For the Youths, we don’t have time again to be able to make a difference in the system. Just like what late GNS stands for, it is time for us to change the narratives that we are no longer leaders of tomorrow but we are leaders of today preparing for our tomorrow.”
The Lawmaker, also made a commitment of five hundred thousand (N500,000.00) Naira annually in support of the foundation.
While presenting the keynote address Prof. Dung Pam Sha,  a Professor of Political Economy and Development Studies, at  the prestigious University of Jos lauded the family of the deceased for making the idea of the memorial lecture and Foundation a reality.  Stressing that, “having stay and known him”if GNS Pwajok is alive and be a Governor he would have looked at Youth bulge and address it.”
While highlighting the leadership qualities of GNS, Sha, disclosed that Nigeria have a problem call Youth bulge, noting  that the country has huge population of youth without programmes and policies that would sustain the youth leadership production.
According to him” over the years Nigerian youth are potential drivers of economic growth,large youth population is not integrated into economic stability, mentoring and producing future leaders becomes problematic.
” Youth bulge should remain in the government agenda. We need complete and comprehensive overhaul of the system because country with huge youth unemployment is at the risk of violence.”
He blamed politicians for only engaging the Youths during elections and when the exercise is over they dumped them.
” Non integration of youth in the public sector, considering the large proportion of youth population that were not engaged in the economic development of the country makes many of the Youths frustrated leading them to embark in arm robbery, prostitution, terrorism and other social vices.” He lamented.
On what would be the remedy or solutions, professor Sha pinpoint the need for tertiary institutions to pay more attention on skills acquisitions and entrepreneurship.
Turning to Plateau Youth as they are trying to portray, emulate and inculcate the legacies and leadership qualities of late Senator GNS Pwajok, He urged them to be educated before going to politics while political parties on the other hand should be proactive enough in training the Youths for socialism and must ensure gender balance.
He frowned at the political class who use the youths for political thuggery and other vices detrimental to the nation instead of mentoring them to achieve their full potentials at appreciable levels. He admonished the youths not to allow themselves to be wrongly used by selfish and greedy person but be more united.
In his address Mr. Sunday Nyagwan, chairman Greater Together Network (GTN), an initiative of late GNS , said the event is aimed at reawakening collective resolve of young people in deepening democracy in Plateau and Nigeria as a whole in line with late Senator GNS Pwajok thought” the future is bright as the promises of God.”
The event climaxed with panel discussion led by emerging leaders in the State and beyond such as Cmr. Gad Shamaki, Mrs. Jiritmwa Morgak Goyit, Mr. Makji Dajwal, Mr. Alex Ladan, Hon. Chikas Kumle and Dr. Daniel Meshak with Mr. Ponsak Fanap as Anchor.
Considering the magnanimity and leadership quality late Senator GNS Pwajok, was  known for while alive,  the question is, can those who are clamouring and anticipating to replicate and sustain his legacies determine to face the challenges and fulfill his vision?